Houston News

Latest "Call of Duty" Renews Debate Over Violent Games

by KTRH's Nik Rajkovic

Developers of the newest "Call of Duty" game are hoping to cash in with the holiday shopping season, and America's thirst for violence.

The first-person shooter game topped $1 billion in sales with 20 million copies sold each of the last four releases. Gamers appear to be obsessed with “Call of Duty's” lifelike feel of military combat.

Critics believe it has led to an increase in school shootings. However, Houston psychologist Laurence Abrams isn't so sure. Though he does believe a small percentage of players may get too caught up in the action.

“I don't think there's a causative effect anymore than TV was causing it 20-30 years ago as they used to complain,” Dr. Abrams tells KTRH News. “But it does enhance the experience, it gives people a thrill, and they might seek it out if they have weak boundaries.”

Gamers argue there have been only a handful of mass shootings compared to the millions of users out there.

“I don't know how you're going to limit anybody in their own home on their own computer,” says Abrams. “There might be some limits put on the kind of experience on the graphics. That would be the only way I see you can tone it down, by having the game be a little less real.”